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You are here : home > Child's Healthcare > Childhood illnesses and medical conditions > Pinworm Infection in Toddlers

Pinworm Infection in Toddlers


Pinworm Infection in Toddlers
Toddlers and small kids are susceptible to pinworm infection. Have a quick look at the causes and symptoms of pinworm infection and find tips for treating it.

Pinworms are parasites and live in human intestines. These are found worldwide and can affect person of any age group. Children are infected most often because they get transferred from one person to another very easily. It can be upsetting for you to find that your child is infected with pinworms but these rarely pose health risk and can be eradicated easily.

How do Toddlers get Infected with Pinworms?

Pinworms spread from person to person. It can get transmitted through clothes, towels, kitchen counters, food, toilets, bathroom fixtures or even kitchen utensils. The eggs of the pinworms stay alive for 2 weeks and when the toddler accidently touches them and puts his hand in his mouth, the eggs enter his body. Toddlers have a tendency to put their hands in mouth often and therefore, the chances of getting infected with pinworms increase.
Kids in school spend most of their time with other kids and so possibilities of infection are enhanced. The eggs are so light that they can even travel through air and enter the child’s body when breathing as well.

Symptoms of Pinworms Infection

One of the most common symptoms of getting infected with pinworms is itching around the anus. If the child is big enough to show reaction, you will come to know, but if he is a toddler or even younger, you can figure out from the restlessness during sleep and fussiness shown by your child. Sometimes pinworms also cause nausea and vomiting.

1) Remedy to Check the Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

You can confirm your suspicion by checking for worms in your child’s bottom at night with the help of a flashlight. By pressing a transparent tape on your child’s anus will help the eggs to get stuck on the tape and this will confirm your doubt. If there are no signs of worms, the itching can be due to dryness of the skin or perhaps something else. You can talk to your doctor regarding any of the issue so that tests are done and proper medication is also given to your child.

2) Other Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

Other symptoms of being infected by pinworms are redness and swollen area as well as when you will touch you will find that it is warm and tender as well. In addition, if there is any kind of discharge or bad odour, it can also show that your child is infected.

Treatment of Pinworms

If the case is mild, it might not even need treatment. But if there is bothersome itching and disturbed sleep, you should not let the situation worsen. Consult your child’s doctor to suggest a home remedy or get medicine prescribed to kill the worms. It is possible that the whole family needs to be treated because these worms get transmitted easily and quickly as well.
It is always good to check with your doctor before you opt for any over-the-counter remedy. This becomes all the more important when your child is below the age of 2 or you are nursing or still pregnant. The doctor might recommend repeat treatment after two weeks even if the symptoms have disappeared. This is because the medicine will kill only the worms and the eggs will hatch again within 2 weeks of time.
You can prevent pinworms infection by giving your child daily bath, keeping his nails clean and short, change your child’s under garments daily, allow sunshine to enter into the room, make your child wash hands before eating or after using the toilet and clean the toilet seats daily. By taking few precautions you will not only prevent infection in your child, but help him stay away from these problems throughout his life with the healthy habits developed in him.

Why is pinworm infection common in toddlers and small kids? What are the common symptoms of pinworm infection in toddlers? How to treat and prevent pinworm infection in toddlers? Discuss here.



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